Do you sometimes turn down party invites? Feel drained after too much socializing? Get called “shy,” “too quiet,” or even “antisocial?” You’re not alone. Some people are naturally more introverted than others, but if you’re turning down social activities because of fear, something more serious might be going on.
Many people confuse introversion with social anxiety, when in fact they’re very different experiences. Social anxiety comes with intense worry or fear of social situations, and it can interfere with your daily life without the right care.
Boston Neurobehavioral Associates specializes in diagnosing and treating anxiety, and here’s what most people get wrong about social anxiety vs. introversion.
Social anxiety, like other types of anxiety, is a mental health condition. Introversion is a personality trait, not a disorder.
If you’re introverted, you may enjoy solitude, prefer one-on-one conversations over group gatherings, and need quiet time to recharge after social events. Being introverted doesn’t stem from fear or avoidance — it simply has to do with how you gain and spend your energy.
It’s possible for introverts to have strong social skills and enjoy time with others. They may just prefer smaller settings and feel more comfortable observing before joining in. Most importantly, introversion doesn’t cause distress or interfere with your daily functioning.
On the other hand, social anxiety is a mental health condition characterized by intense fear or anxiety in social situations. This fear often stems from worry about being judged, embarrassed, or rejected.
People with social anxiety might avoid events, struggle to speak up in meetings, or experience physical symptoms like sweating, blushing, or a racing heart when interacting with others. Social anxiety can interfere with your career, relationships, and daily life, because fear around social interaction can make it difficult to function.
One of the biggest myths is that all introverts are socially anxious or that all socially anxious people are introverts. In reality, social anxiety can affect anyone, regardless of personality type. Extroverts with social anxiety may feel deeply distressed about social events, because they want to participate but fear keeps them from doing so.
And sometimes, people think that social anxiety is just shyness. Shyness is usually a mild and temporary discomfort, but social anxiety is persistent, intense, and often accompanied by avoidance behaviors that can significantly interfere with your quality of life.
It’s common to toss around terms like “antisocial” and “anxious,” but the reality is more nuanced. Understanding the distinction can help you better navigate your needs, and here are some common signs of social anxiety to watch for:
If these symptoms sound familiar, help is available. At Boston Neurobehavioral Associates, we offer individual therapy designed to help you understand and manage social anxiety. Through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), you can learn to identify negative thought patterns, challenge irrational fears, and build practical skills for more confident social interactions.
Therapy can also help you uncover the root causes of your anxiety and develop strategies tailored to your lifestyle and personality, whether you’re introverted, extroverted, or somewhere in between.
You don’t have to let social anxiety define you. If fear is holding you back from the life you want, reach out to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed therapists, and start getting the help you need.
